MFA Brainerd Chapter Meeting Minutes: Dec. 29, 2008

The Brainerd Chapter of MFA held a meeting on December 29,
2008 at the Brainerd Public Library.The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Chapter President, Jim
Chamberlin.Attendance was taken
by Secretary, Dean Makey (see list).

A
presentation was given by student Lucas Wandrie and Dr. William Faber
about a fisher study being conducted in Camp Ripley.Lucas explained the study and Dr.
Faber showed slides about capturing a fisher and how data is collected.

It was suggested that “thank you”
notes be sent to the presentors.Dean
M. will do so.

Jim
Chamberlin reviewed the financial report prepared by Dean Makey (see
attached).There was
discussion on how income is generated by the Chapter.No operating income is received by
the Chapter from the State MFA office.

In recent years, Chapter income was
generated mainly from MFA Stewardship Grant requests.This fiscal year ’09, the Chapter has received a grant for
$250 to help with Chapter meeting expenses, such as mailings, room rental, and
speaker fees.

Jim
also reviewed recent Chapter activities (see attached list).Jim noted there had not been any
activities in 2008.

Dean mentioned the letter sent out
in October 2008 to 63 current MFA members in Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, and
Todd Counties.The letter asked
members if they would like to have the Brainerd Chapter designated as their
local MFA Chapter.Thirteen
members responded that they would (Dean M. has the list).

There was more discussion about
this Chapter member designation, Chapter geographic area, Chapter By-Laws, and
mission of the Brainerd Chapter.During the discussion, the meeting attendees introduced themselves and
told a bit about why they were involved with MFA.

A MFA
statewide update was given by Jim and MFA State President, John O’Reilly
(in attendance):

The
Five-Event Weekend will be held on January 9 & 10, 2009.Jim will be leading the Chapter
Meeting part of the program.

The
projected MFA budget for 2009 was reviewed and discussed (see attached).

MFA’s
Annual Meeting and Field Day will be held at Bob Sonnenberg’s property in
May 2009.

Jim
asked for ideas about a Chapter field day in 2009.Dean mentioned that no Stewardship
Grant had been requested by the Chapter for FY09.Dean said the Central Minnesota
Small Woodlot Owners Association did secure a grant for a field day and
was planning one for the spring.Maybe the Brainerd Chapter could help them with this project.Jim announced that they
could.Dean will help
coordinate the cooperation.

Jim
presented a proposal to develop a scholarship fund by the Brainerd Chapter
to help Natural Resource students at Central Lakes College.The proposal included a draft
resolution, which was reviewed.

Discussion on this topic
included:the scope of the
scholarship program, both dollar amount and geographic area, and possibly
contacting other groups (service clubs, conservation groups) to join in this
program with Brainerd Chapter.

A motion was made by Ken Quass to accept the
resolution as prepared.The motion
was seconded by John Wallin.The
motion passed unanimously.

Other
business

Mary
Jane Reetz suggested that the next Chapter meeting be focused on developing
a Chapter work plan for the coming year.All agreed.

It
was suggested that the next meeting speaker be from the CLC – Natural
Resource Club.The
presentation could address what the Club does to see how the Brainerd
Chapter and the Club might cooperate on projects.CLC instructor, Gary Carson could
be contacted about this request.

Thomas
Schulz suggested that MFA pursue funding from the recently passed
legislation on sales tax receipts for natural resources.Tom is concerned about private
forest land being fragmented and developed, resulting in the loss of
managed forest land.There
was much discussion on this topic.

A motion was made by Tom Schulz
to seek statewide MFA support for a small acreage woodland conservation
easement program similar to RIM or CREP.The motion was seconded by John Wallin.The motion passed with 1 abstention.

Election
of Chapter Officers

Discussion was held concerning
Chapter Officers.The Chapter
By-Laws state, “The officers of the chapter shall be (i) a President, (ii) a
Vice President and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, and (iii) a
Secretary/Treasurer, who shall also constitute the Board of Directors
(hereafter the ‘Board’).”

“The newly elected officers shall
shall assume their respective offices on the ensuing 1st day of
January and serve for a term of two years and until their successors are duly
elected.”

Nominations from the floor were
taken as such:

John Wallin to serve two years as
President,

Jim Ballenthin to serve two years
as Vice President, and

Dean Makey to continue as
Secretary/Treasurer for one year.

Nominations were moved to be closed
and were unanimously accepted.

The nominees were voted into office
by unanimous vote.

Next
Chapter Meeting

The By-Laws state that Chapter
meetings will be held quarterly.After discussion, Fridays seemed to be a good day to meet.

The next meeting of the Brainerd Chapter will be
on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Brainerd Public Library.Dean will send out a notice.